Monday, February 9, 2009

As a science-geek with an undergraduate degree in Zoology and Anthropology, how could I not remind ExhibiTricks readers that this week on February 12th will mark the 200th anniversary of the birth of Charles Darwin?

For those of you looking for some fun evolution-related ideas, I'd like to highlight two websitesthat can provide you some great activities to help celebrate both Darwin and the concepts behind the processes of natural selection.

The Epic of Evolution is your one-stop website for background, resources, and activities regarding evolutionary science. Check out fun activities like "Candy Cells" that helps explain how simple cells evolved through symbiosis.

The second evolution-related resource is the website of JJ Ventrella. Mr. Ventrella is a computer programmer/artist who has helped to develop many interesting simulation-type games. But, for the purposes of this posting let's highlight a computer game called "Gene Pool" that's a free Mac or Windows download via the Ventrella website. In Gene Pool you can watch digital beasties "evolve" (or tweak things a little!)

So on February 12th, have some evolutionary fun and give a big opposable "thumbs up" to Charles Darwin for helping us better understand ourselves and the world we live in!

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